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COP21 – Paris Climate Conference 30th November to 11th December 2015 Key facts for future climate What is COP21? And who is involved? COP21 has involved two weeks of talks between government officials from around the world. The goals are: To agree legally-binding, global targets on cutting carbon emissions to keep global warming below 2°C. To therefore reduce the impacts of man-made global warming beyond 2020. To discuss ways of helping developing nations to continue their development in a sustainable way. There have been over 50,000 participants from governments, the United Nations (UN), and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). 195 countries were represented, and world leaders were present for...

As the final part of our oceans and climate change series, this article explores marine ecosystems, looking at primary productivity, microorganisms, and changes in species composition and biodiversity. Have a look at the previous parts of the oceans series. Part 1 includes the key facts on the global ocean. Part 2 explores physical ocean processes and Part 3 explores ocean chemistry and the impacts climate change may have on the marine environment. Written in collaboration with Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science, their original reports and outreach materials can be accessed here. Primary productivity, phytoplankton and microorganisms Primary productivity Primary productivity is the rate at which living...

As part of our oceans and climate change series, this article explores ocean chemistry and the impacts that climate change may have on the marine environment. We focus on ocean acidification and eutrophication. Take a look at Part 1 of our oceans series to get the key facts on the global ocean. Part 2 explores physical ocean processes. Written in collaboration with Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science, their original reports and outreach materials can be accessed here. Ocean acidification Almost one third (c.30%) of human-induced CO2 emissions – from burning fossil fuels, for example – since the beginning of industrialisation has been absorbed by the oceans. Without...

As part of our oceans and climate change series, this article explores physical ocean processes and the ways that they interact with, and respond to, climate drivers. We examine key issues such as changes in ocean circulation and sea level rise. Part 1 of our oceans series can be found here. Written in collaboration with Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science, their original reports and outreach materials can be accessed here. Changes to temperature, circulation and ice cover The North Atlantic Ocean is the driver of Earth’s ocean circulation. This is due to the heat transfer of the North Atlantic currents – the warm North Atlantic current...